Page 83 of Stay With Me

I lean in and kiss her, slow and deep, aiming to leave no question in her mind that she’s what I want.

And she… giggles. At first, anyway, but it quickly becomes a full-on laugh.

I pull back and lift an eyebrow. She covers her mouth with her hand. “Ouch,” I tease. “That bad?”

“I’m so sorry. It’s not the kiss. The kiss was amazing.” Her cheeks turn a bright red, but I wait patiently. She smiles sweetly. “It’s just you’re like this quiet, ‘man of few words’ type of guy around most people, but when you talk to me you’re so damn swoony. Like the things you say could melt a girl’s panties.”

“Oh yeah?” I ask. I close the little distance left between us. Making sure she can feelexactlywhat she does to me.

She nods and watches me through hooded eyes.

I lean in and kiss her neck and she moans in response.

“And when we’re having sex and you talk… Jesus, Charlie. I never would have guessed you’d be so vocal in the bedroom. But I love it.”

“Tell me more about what you like,” I say against the smooth skin of her creamy neck.

She whimpers in response.

“I-I love it when you talk dirty to me and make me feel free to talk back.” She’s panting now and pushing her pelvis into mine. “And when?—”

She doesn’t finish her sentence, though I give her time to. “And when what, baby?” I whisper near her ear.

“I like that you want to watch me when you make me come.” She’s panting now and fuck, so am I.

“You’re so damn sexy.” I pull back and rest my forehead against hers while we catch our breath.

After we’ve calmed down a little, I glance at my watch. “We’ve got about a half hour until people arrive. It’s enough time to give you your birthday present, or we can go upstairs, and I can use my mouth to give you another type of birthday present. Your pick.”

She gives me the cutest sheepish grin. “If you give me my regular present now, can I still get the other one when we go to bed?”

I can’t help but chuckle. Emily loves surprises, and I’m shocked she’s held out this long today without asking if there is a present for her. Since I’ve met her, I haven’t missed a single birthday present for her—even on the years there was a distance between us. I just sent them with Trina on those years.

“Yeah, you’ll still get the other present at bedtime. Come on, I know you want to see your gift.”

I take her by the hand and lead her into the house, through the kitchen, and to the door outside the office room.

“Close your eyes and don’t open them until I tell you to.” She does as I ask, and I turn the knob on the office door and lead her inside. “Okay. Open your eyes.”

* * *

EMILY

As I slowly turn in a circle, taking in all Charlie has done in the office, I’m speechless. I forget all about my present. Books—my books—line the built-in wood bookshelves. Next to them is a new reading nook large enough for two people to lie down on that butts up to the window with what appears to be custom made pale blue cushions and matching pillows. It’s absolutely amazing. The flooring is now a gorgeous hickory hard wood with a gray stain laid out in a herringbone pattern.

But the best thing is a stunning live edge desk with streaks of turquoise colored resin running across the top and gorgeous black piping for legs. It has a matching turquoise toned chair.

“This desk. This entire room. My God, it’s breathtaking. Where did you even find a desk like this?”

“I made it.”

I turn around to look at him. “Youmadeit? Are you serious?”

He simply shrugs, like it’s no big deal.

I look at the desk again and run my hand along its smooth top.

Lying on the desk is a card with my name on it. I place my finger on it and ask, “Is it okay to open this?”

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